High School – Brandon Sun

Massey JV girls top Neelin in hoop

1 minute read Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025

The Vincent Massey Vikings beat the Neelin Spartans 45-26 in junior varsity girls basketball action in the Brandon high school league on Tuesday.

Adriana Ramalho paced the Vikings with 16 points, while Josee Martine led the Spartans with six.

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Lancers, Wings claim BSSI titles

By Thomas Friesen 6 minute read Preview

Lancers, Wings claim BSSI titles

By Thomas Friesen 6 minute read Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025

One minute, the Dakota Lancers are in an air-tight affair. But blink and you’ll miss them dominate another provincial powerhouse for a few minutes.

That’s all the Lancers need when they defend as they did at the Brandon Sun Spartan Invitational.

Dakota defeated Oak Park 73-50 in the Victoria Inn Division (Tier 1) final at Vincent Massey on Saturday for its second tournament victory in three years.

While head coach Dean Favoni’s team has won the event three times now, the Lancers have also had their fair share of tough final losses.

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Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025

The Dakota Lancers celebrate their second Brandon Sun Spartan Invitational title in three years after beating the Oak Park Raiders at Vincent Massey on Saturday. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)

Vikings off to BSSI semifinals

Thomas Friesen 3 minute read Preview

Vikings off to BSSI semifinals

Thomas Friesen 3 minute read Friday, Dec. 12, 2025

Markus Stevenson did a lot of good things for the Vincent Massey Vikings last year, but the one he struggled with stung.

“In provincials last year, when we played St. Paul’s, my defence really got exposed. I couldn’t play because I kept fouling,” Stevenson said.

“I really wanted to work on my defence, because I didn’t want to sit on the bench because I couldn’t guard.”

The Grade 11 guard worked on it all summer, and it paid off on Friday as the Vikings beat the Miles Macdonell Buckeyes 81-71, then dropped the Martin (Sask.) Monarchs 92-71 to finish atop Pool D of the Brandon Sun Spartan Invitational’s Victoria Inn Division (Tier 1).

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Friday, Dec. 12, 2025

Jordan Nichol (4) of the Vincent Massey Vikings leaps for a shot on the net during the Vikings match against the Martin Monarchs at VMHS on Friday. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)

Brown, Crocus hoping to play spoiler facing league’s best

Massimo De Luca-Taronno 5 minute read Preview

Brown, Crocus hoping to play spoiler facing league’s best

Massimo De Luca-Taronno 5 minute read Friday, Dec. 12, 2025

If there was a David vs. Goliath matchup equivalent in the Westman High School Hockey League, this would be it.

The Crocus Plainsmen, who sit at the bottom of the standings having strung together just one win through 10 games (1-8-1), will need to do just about everything and then some to have a chance against what will be their toughest test yet in the league’s cream of the crop, the Swan Valley Tigers — the only team who is yet to register a regulation loss.

“It’s going to be a pretty hard battle, but I’m sure the boys will try and battle even harder,” said Crocus forward Destin Brown ahead of his club’s match against Swan Valley this afternoon at Enns Brothers Arena.

“Playing great teams up in the standings is going to be pretty hard, but, you know, you just never stop battling, and you never know what could go on, so it’d be pretty fun to win. Hopefully we can come out and get the win.”

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Friday, Dec. 12, 2025

Crocus Plainsmen second-year forward Destin Brown (8) is second among team scoring with six goals and 13 points in nine games. He only trails linemate, Cale Calcut, who has nine goals and 15 points. (Massimo De Luca-Taronno/The Brandon Sun)

Vikings historical run in Westman is no more

Massimo De Luca-Taronno 7 minute read Preview

Vikings historical run in Westman is no more

Massimo De Luca-Taronno 7 minute read Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025

The streak is finally over.

The Vincent Massey Vikings had gone 667 days since losing a Westman High School Hockey League regulation match — a 4-3 loss to the Hamiota/Rivers/Elton/Strathclair Huskies at Flynn Arena on February 4, 2024 — but their impressive stretch finally came to an end over the weekend when the league’s last undefeated team fell to the Swan Valley Tigers 5-4 at the Sportsplex Friday evening.

A slow start helped the Tigers build up a 3-0 lead in the first frame before Hunter Oakden potted one in during the man advantage to put Massey on the board heading into the second period, when seniors Daylan Duncalfe and Addax Egan both scored to tie it 3-3.

Owen Deleau gave the Vikings their first lead of the game in the third period, but it proved to be not enough as the Tigers fought back for two goals in under a five-minute span to break Massey’s historical run of nearly two years without a loss in regulation time.

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Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025

Vincent Massey Vikings forward Vaughn McLeod celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal en route to a 11-0 victory over the Crocus Plainsmen at Enns Brothers Arena on Sunday, Oct. 19. (Massimo De Luca-Taronno/The Brandon Sun)

Unrau enjoys big BSSI opener for Carberry

2 minute read Preview

Unrau enjoys big BSSI opener for Carberry

2 minute read Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025

Owen Unrau scored 29 points to lead the Carberry Cougars to a 93-54 victory over the Helen Betty Osborne Huskies to open the Brandon Sun Spartan Invitational varsity boys’ basketball tournament on Thursday.

Brayden Roulette led the Huskies with 15 points in the Source for Sports Division contest.

In the other Pool H game, Parker McAulay scored 14 points as Sanford dropped Calvin Christian 57-48.

Josiah Giesbrecht paced the Eagles with eight points.

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Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025

Dakota Lancers Daniel Rom dunks on the Selkirk Royals during their BSSI game at the Healthy Living Centre on Thursday. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)

Penner, Sabres set for big year

Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Preview

Penner, Sabres set for big year

Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025

This season has been a while coming for Trey Penner and the Souris Sabres.

The son of longtime Sabres basketball coach Trever Penner started senior year strong, scoring 18 points in a 76-67 win over the Minnedosa Chancellors to open the Brandon Sun Spartan Invitational at the Healthy Living Centre on Thursday.

The team has AA provincial championship aspirations, and feels the 22-year-old tournament is the perfect way to start.

“This is one of those tournaments I look forward to as much as anything,” Trever Penner said.

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Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025

Souris Sabres guard Trey Penner does a layup against the Minnedosa Chancellors during their Brandon Sun Spartan Invitational varsity boys’ basketball game at the Healthy Living Centre on Thursday. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)

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BSSI PREVIEW: Nohr extends hoops tradition into 22nd year

Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Preview

BSSI PREVIEW: Nohr extends hoops tradition into 22nd year

Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025

Brett Nohr was determined to keep the Brandon Sun Spartan Invitational tradition alive.

When longtime Neelin Spartans athletic director Don Thomson retired in June, the Vincent Massey Vikings head coach stepped up to take on the challenge of hosting one of the largest varsity boys’ basketball tournaments in the country.

The format remains the same for the 22nd annual BSSI, with all three Brandon schools hosting their pool-play games today and Friday.

The original host Spartans kick off the 32-team tournament today at 4 p.m., against the Glenboro-Baldur co-op team.

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Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025

Aiden Moore was named MVP of AAA volleyball provincials two weeks ago, and will start his first year of varsity basketball at the Brandon Sun Spartan Invitational today. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)

BSSI PREVIEW: Vikings ready for breakout season

Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Preview

BSSI PREVIEW: Vikings ready for breakout season

Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025

The Vincent Massey Vikings have sky-high hopes this year, and for good reason.

They broke through to the AAAA provincial final four two years ago at the junior varsity level, and now, with the most experienced and talented group Massey has fielded in decades, the Vikings are ready to surpass the opening round of provincials for the first time in head coach Brett Nohr’s time with the program.

The Vikings are already three games into their season, with five more coming up as they take over as hosts of the Brandon Sun Spartan Invitational, starting today at 2:15 p.m., against the Northlands Parkway Nighthawks.

“We know we have a better squad this year,” said senior forward Callum Brosseau.

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Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025

The Vincent Massey Vikings, left, have taken over running the Brandon Sun Spartan Invitational, which the Neelin Spartans started in 2004. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)

Zodiacs drop Plainsmen in Early Bird final

By Thomas Friesen 3 minute read Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025

The Crocus Plainsmen had to give away the first-place plaque this year, but still had some valuable takeaways from the Early Bird varsity girls basketball tournament.

They shook the rust off with a decisive quarterfinal win over the Neepawa Tigers, then handled the pressure of a close game, eking out a 46-44 victory over the Souris Sabres.

The Plainsmen then ran into a terrific Garden Valley Zodiacs squad, falling 76-56 in Saturday’s final.

“We learned a lot throughout the weekend,” Hartman said.

Stevenson leads Vikings to tourney title

1 minute read Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025

Markus Stevenson scored 28 points to lead the Vincent Massey Vikings varsity boys’ basketball team to a 96-88 victory over the Grant Park Pirates in the final of the J.H. Bruns Bronco Invitational on Saturday.

Stevenson was named MVP, with all-star Knox Smith putting up 20 points.

Callum Brosseau added 19 for the Vikings, who are back in action on Thursday at the Brandon Sun Spartan Invitational.

» The Brandon Sun

Koshel returns to lead Neepawa girls

By Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Preview

Koshel returns to lead Neepawa girls

By Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Friday, Dec. 5, 2025

Rhea Koshel is facing an uphill battle, but she has the tools to make it work.

The senior guard has returned to the Neepawa Tigers after two years away. From the first game of the season on Friday, it’s clear she could be their superstar.

The Tigers drew the short straw, matching up against the Crocus Plainsmen in the quarterfinals of their Early Bird varsity girls’ basketball tournament, falling 53-33. But Koshel led all scorers with 18 points and kept her team much closer than most against a team with a gymnasium packed with students cheering them on.

Neepawa coach Jordan Wickens said you can “absolutely” expect more of that from Koshel this year.

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Friday, Dec. 5, 2025

Neepawa Tigers guard Rhea Koshel drives to the hoop against the Crocus Plainsmen during the first game of the Early Bird varsity girls basketball tournament on Friday. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)

Crocus earns berth in final

1 minute read Friday, Dec. 5, 2025

Iliana Courchene scored 16 points as the Crocus Plainsmen edged the Souris Sabres 46-44 in the first semifinal of the Early Bird varsity girls basketball tournament at Crocus on Friday.

Kinsley Penner netted 10 points for the Plainsmen, while Mallory Van De Kerckhove led the Sabres with 16 points and Tessa Penner had 10.

The other semifinal is this morning between the Vincent Massey Vikings and Garden Valley Zodiacs at 9 a.m.

The final tips off at 3:30 p.m.

Stevenson leads Massey to tourney final

1 minute read Friday, Dec. 5, 2025

Markus Stevenson racked up 26 points as the Vincent Massey Vikings bounced the Tec Voc Hornets 95-49 in the semifinals of the J.H. Bruns Bronco Invitational varsity boys’ basketball tournament in Winnipeg on Friday.

Knox Smith added 16 points for Massey, which plays in today’s final at 1 p.m.

» The Brandon Sun

Hiebert ready to lead Plainsmen girls

Thomas Friesen 3 minute read Preview

Hiebert ready to lead Plainsmen girls

Thomas Friesen 3 minute read Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025

Kate Hiebert knows what her younger teammates are feeling and plans to help them through any nerves.

The senior forward is entering her third season with the Crocus Plainsmen varsity girls basketball team with a big increase in responsibility.

“I’m so excited. Third year on varsity, it’s different because I’m a leader. They look up to me and I get to play my hardest … for my final year and have fun with it,” Hiebert said, adding some advice for her new teammates.

“Make the best of it. I know with basketball, it’s hard. You get down on yourself a lot, missing shots and everything, but you’ve got to keep going.”

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Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025

Kate Hiebert and the Crocus Plainsmen open the season on home court today against the Neepawa Tigers in the first game of the Early Bird tournament. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)

Viking boys rout Royals in quarters

1 minute read Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025

Ashton Opperman scored 14 points as the Vincent Massey Vikings varsity boys basketball team beat the Selkirk Royals 99-44 to open the J.H. Bruns Bronco Invitational tournament in Winnipeg on Thursday.

Knox Smith led Massey with 16 points.

The Vikings play the Tec Voc Hornets in today’s semifinals at 3 p.m.

The final is on Saturday at 1 p.m.

January 4, 2026

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